U.S. DOE Grows A Pair, Goes After Target, Others Over Torchiere Lamps

The U.S. Department of Energy, which just recently announced toughening of its Energy Star standards, looks to mean business in making sure companies are living up to federal energy efficiency standards in products they market and sell. It recently tangled with LG Electronics over energy efficiency claims on some refrigerators, and is now going after Target Corporation, Addesso, Inc. and Habitex Corporation over allegations of “selling certain torchiere lamps that failed to meet federal energy efficiency standards.”

The DOE has issued subpoenas to the three companies in question “to submit detailed information about the design of these products and how the companies marketed and sold them in the U.S.” Target and Adesso both “privately label torchieres manufactured by Habitex and sell them to consumers under their own brand names.” Once the information requested has been provided within the required 30 day window, the DOE says it “will determine whether these products violate the energy conservation standards for torchiere lamps,” which apparently require that these items “must not be capable of operating with light bulbs that total more than 190 watts.”

image via Target

“As part of our expanded energy efficiency enforcement efforts, the Department of Energy will continue to open investigations whenever we have credible information that products are violating federal conservation standards,” said DOE General Counsel Scott Blake Harris in a statement. “”We are looking forward to receiving the data from these companies and are not prejudging the merits of this particular case.”

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I am the editor-in-chief and founder for EarthTechling. This site is my desire to bring the world of green technology to consumers in a timely and informative matter. Prior to this my previous ventures have included a strong freelance writing career and time spent at Silicon Valley start ups.